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,20 



EARNING THE BLUE 
STRIPE 



By 
L. S. WANNAMAKER 

Ex-Sti«. Med. Dept. U. S. Army 



I MANUFACTURirta STAnONIRS >"■■ PItomn, akiiona 



MAR -7 1313 



Earning the Blue 
Stripe 



> 

L/Vs. WANNAMAKER 

Ex-Sgt. Med Dept. U. S, Army 



INTRODUCTORY 

The contents of this book are the experiences 
of the Author while serving with the American 
Expeditionary Forces in France. 

A few of the subjects dealt with in this book 
are as follows: — 

Embarking for over-sea, — Life upon trans- 
ports, — The English rest camp, — The French box 
car, — Life in a Billet, — Drinking wine in France, — 
The French people, — Mademoiselle Goofie, makes 
love to an officer, — La Guerre Finir. 



.rtD 



Copyright Applied For 



(GyCl.Anl rvJ5o 






FOREWORD. 

I do not claim that this booklet is a work 
from a grammatical standpoint, but I do 
claim that it is a truthful, honest statement 
of the things experienced by myself and my 
comrades with whom I sei'ved. 

I trust that the reader will derive as much 
pleasure from this booklet as I did, as I lived 
over again as it were, the happy days spent, 
while serving under our glorious flag in 
France. 



EARNING THE BLUE STRIPE 

By L. S. Wannamaker. 



CHAPTER I. 
Wherein We Embark. 

Between August 3rd, and 10th, 1918, four 
long troop trains wended their way from 
Camp Kearny, near San Diego, Calif., to 
New York City. 

At last after many months of eager ex- 
pectation, the 144th Field Artillery was near- 
ing an embarkation camp. None knew for 
certain which one, and not one man of them 
cared, as long as they were soon to slip out 
of the harbor of New York City to Some- 
where in France. 

The trains arrived at different hours, and 
immediately they arrived the men were 
marched upon one of the many large ferry 
boats which transported them to Long Island. 
It was then that we knew Camp Mills to be 
our destination. 



True, we were rather fatigued from our 
seven days' ride, but the thought of going to 
France eclipsed all worry of that nature. 

The first evening after our arrival, I had 
been detailed to receive our baggage and see 
that each man got his barrack bag. In the 
darkness I could not discern the number of 
what I took to be the correct mess-hall. See- 
ing a group of men standing around a bon- 
fire of empty boxes, I approached them to 
ascertain the location of the correct hall. 
Placing my right hand upon the shoulder of 
one of the men I asked : "I say, chap old fel- 
low, what mess-hall is this anyway?" When 
he turned around surprised, I was for the 
moment struck dumbfounded to think I had 
hugged one of our lieutenants. 

It is needless to say that we were all veiy 
anxious to visit New York City. For my part, 
I craved a ride in the much talked of subway. 
It looked for awhile that I would not have 
a chance to visit. But at last H and I got 
the passes necessary; so in we went whole- 
hearted and free to fancies. 

On our way in we were offered cigarettes 
by a newly made acquaintance. Now I had 



H trained to accept and afterwards give them 
to me, as he doesn't smoke. He accepted 
one, but when our friend also offered a 
lighted match H blushed to the roots of his 
hair. I got that smoke, but somehow I did 
not get another in that manner from H. 

Of course the first thing we did was to 
ride in a subway, and of course we got off 
at the wrong place, and who would not? 
One could not see anything and certainly 
could not understand the shouting conductor. 

But it was just as well, for we were soon 
picked up by some people in a big limousine, 
taking us for a long drive thru Riverside Park. 

Later they turned both the car and driver 
over to us with an invitation to go where we 
pleased, but alas, it was so late we were 
forced to hurry in order that we reach camp 
in time. 

Soon we donned our new over-seas outfit 
which consisted of the usual uniform, with 
the exception of heavy trench shoes, trench 
cap and spiral leggings. 

^•5 -v Noon of the 15th day of August found us 
in one of the large warehouses waiting for 



the order to embark. While we waited the 
band played, filling the house with sound. 

Then to our joy, the ever faithful Red 
Cross workers served us with milk, biscuits 
and other things. 

Soon our detachment formed into a single 
file and passed before the official who 
checked our passenger lists; we shouted our 
names in full to him, received the card which 
indicated a certain place for twenty men in 
which they were to eat and sleep. We were 
first hustled up the gang-plank, then toward 
the fore-part of the ship, down one flight of 
steps into the hold. We found the hold like 
an oven, streams of perspiration oozed from 
every pore. We were glad to dump our 
packs and return to decks. 

I shall always remember the scene which 
has been described so often, but which I 
could not properly appreciate, which we saw 
as we steamed past that nest of sky-scrapers, 
then the Statue of Liberty. A little further 
out we dropped anchor and remained until 
the following morning; at which time the 
rest of the transports had joined. We were 



fourteen ships in all, besides the convoy of 
destroyers. 

The ocean was very calm when we stood 
out to sea, in fact it remained so thruout 
the voyage. Very few of us were sick, and 
the British government saved no food as a 
result. The cooks expected an easy time of 
it, but to the contrary we ate so much it was 
necessary to put some of our cooks in the gal- 
ley to help them out. 

Our's was the good ship Oxfordshire, of I 
think Liverpool, a "lime-juicer", if you please. 
She possessed lots of deck room, was easy 
riding and rather fast for an old boat. 

The holds had an arrangement of tables 
laid out at right angles to the sides. Each 
table had a capacity of twenty men for eat- 
ing purposes and two for sleeping (we wern't 
supposed to sleep upon them, but we did). 
Over head were small compartments into 
which we stowed our packs. Just under 
those were rows of hooks for hammocks. 
After all hammocks had been slung, one was 
reminded of "sardines". 

Seven o'clock (six bells) one would select 
a hammock, hang it in a likely place, then go 

9 



above to get a last lingering smoke. Upon 
returning, one's hammock would be com- 
pressed between two fat men, both snoring 
away. After locating elsewhere and think- 
ing all well, you'd discover someone's foot 
in your face. However, one would have the 
privilege of sticking one's foot before some 
one else's face. 

We thot we were at last to have an 
easy time of it, but one inspection followed 
another, and between these we had calis- 
thenics. Also we wore life-belts at all times 
and a full canteen of water. The worst thing 
that happened to us, we could not smoke af- 
ter dark. All windows had been painted 
over so as not to give out light. 

Of course all strained their eyes trying to 
locate a sub. Tho we heard lots of rumors, 
we did not see any subs. 

Then one morning we found upon coming 
above a most beautiful sea; light pea-green 
in color, with tiny white caps sparkling in 
the sun. I had only come up for a breath 
of fresh air, but was reluctant to leave it 
for fear that when I returned it would be 
gone. The color however, remained all day, 

10 



A sounding proved that we were in shallow 
water, which was the reason of the light 
color. 

That evening as the sun seemed to sink in 
the Atlantic and causing the western horizon 
to glow with shades of purple-red was a fit- 
ing end of a perfect day. 

In due course of time we landed, some- 
time at night, in the harbor of Liverpool. 
With common consent we laid aside the life- 
belts we had worn for eleven days. 

The following morning we marched, up or 
down, I know not which, I think both, to that 
glorious rest cap, Knotty Ash, where only 
our stomachs had a rest. 

But on our way there we had lots of fun 
with the English children, some of which 
were the prettiest I have ever seen, while oth- 
ers were equally unattractive. There were 
so many of them we could hardly pass. Those 
kids beat anything I have ever seen for beg- 
ging. They asked for American pennies 
mostly; but in the event one hadn't pennies 
a nickel or perhaps a dime would suffice, and 
in the event a two-bit piece was given, they 
could accept without a blush. 

11 



Upon all sides we were bombarded with 
questions as, ''AVe you any cents som?" Of 
course we could not resist replying that we 
were brainless, whereupon they would stare 
up at us with questioning eyes, being "Eng- 
lish". 

At one time while we were resting, one 
kid stuck to me with such tenacity that I gave 
him a five cent piece, whereupon he started 
to ask me for everything he could think of 
that was American. 

Another wanted an American match for a 
souvenir, I took out my box and immediately 
about a dozen kids rushed me. I then re- 
flected of the scarcity of matches in Europe, 
and also about my smoking; I decided that 
I could not afford to lose one match. 

We found them all very generous hearted. 
Merchants and bakers brought us cakes, pies, 
etc. I saw one little shaver v/ith a pitcher 
of milk, thinking it the gift of a dairyman, I 
asked for a swallow, which he readily gave 
me. After I had swallowed the milk I asked 
him where he intended taking the milk as he 
did not offer the others any. He replied, 
''it's for the babe." I cannot express how I 

12 



felt then. Soon I gave away the souvenirs I 
had brought over for the French Mademoi- 
selles. 

A little further on an elderly woman of- 
fered me a cup of tea which I accepted. She 
kept pace with me while I drank the tea in 
gulps (I never cared much for tea). 

Upon our arrival at camp we were shown 
to small round tents with wooden floors. 
Each tent was supposed to accommodate 
eight men. Each man had a mattress shaped 
like a coffin, so as to conforai to the tent. 



13 



CHAPTER 11. 
The French Box Car. 

I will not relate in detail our trip from 
England into France. Were I to relate our 
trip in full this would be a volume instead 
of a booklet. Besides, volumes have been 
written describing the beauty of both Eng- 
land and France. 

Suffice to say that we traveled by railroad 
carriage (new things for us), from Knotty 
Ash to South Hampton, where we stayed one 
night. The next afternoon of which we 
shipped across the Channel to Le Havre. I 
experienced my first sea-sickness upon that 
trip. I fully expected a sub and all that goes 
vv^ith them, while crossing the channel. I 
thot I had a "hunch" that we would swim 
but nothing happened. 

We arrived at Le Havre, a little after day- 
break. As we marched up thru town we 
forgot that the earth seemed to rise and 
quiver under us (effects of the voyage), 
for everything we saw was strange to us. 

15 



The language we, for the most of us, could 
not understand. The signs we could not read. 
We could hardly walk upon the cobbled 
streets. But we liked it all just the same. 

The town of Le Havre must have been 
pretty bad, for no one under the rank of ma- 
jor could obtain a pass. We remained there 
a little over one day. 

The next afternoon we loaded upon that, 
which is fresh, and which will always remain 
fresh in the minds of the American soldiers 
who served in France, 'The French Box 
Car". 

In the states, you remember, we occupied 
four long Pullman trains. In France we oc- 
cupied one long freight train. 

Our medical detachment was lucky upon 
this trip from La Havre, to Poitiers. We 
were thirty-three in one short car, made 
shorter than the rest on account of a com- 
partment for the brakeman, which occupied 
about six feet of the car. Air brakes not be- 
ing in use upon freight trains, it was neces- 
sary to place brakemen along the train in 
order to check the progress if desired. While 
most of the cars were equipped with little 

16 



dinky seats upon top and between the cars 
with hoods over them, ours boasted of a com- 
partment within the car. 

There was just enough room for twenty- 
nine men in the main part of the car for 
sleeping purposes, and packed like sardines 
at that. The four non-commissioned officers, 
including myself, slept in the smaller com- 
partment. All of one night and the most of 
another I slept with my legs wound around 
some pipes under the brakeman's seat, in a 
way that I could not turn over nor could I 
get my legs under the seat in any different 

way. 

Some cars had as many as forty-two men 
in them. Then sleeping is out of the ques- 
tion. One would doze off only to find upon 
awakening that all feeling and sense of touch 
had departed from one or both limbs. One 
would of course extricate the affected limb, 
place it upon the top of the pile of legs, arms, 
etc., but to no purpose, for it would soon be 
at the bottom, as others were doing the 
same thing. 

Upon one occasion I tried to sleep while 
someone was sitting upon my chest, another 

17 



propped against my drawn-up knees (I drew 
them up to accommodate my comrade). My 
head rested upon the hard side of a pack. 
Sometime during the night I was awakened 
by a heavy man sitting down rather hard 
upon my left leg. He was swearing as tho 
his heart would break. And I was almost 
sure that my leg had been broken. Can you 
blame me for swearing a little also? 

While traveling we ate corned beef 
(Willie), the canned variety, canned to- 
matoes, canned jam — everything we ate was 
from cans, with the exception of bread, and 
often that was in packages (hard bread). 

At times there would be a ration of hot 
coffee. In fact, there were stations where 
coffee was prepared in large quantities for 
troops passing from one camp to another. 

At one of these places we had received 
our allowance of half sweetened coffee, 
when to make sure that we had, Capt. D 
made inquiry. Finding that we could use 
more he took me with him to the station to 
try and obtain another pot-full. There we 
found the French sergeant (who had traveled 
with us from Camp Kearny, at which place 

18 



he had been an instructor), who was sup- 
posed to see that our regiment got a square 
deal. He insisted that all had been given 
coffee. Capt. D insisted that we had been 
left out. A captain can ''get by" with al- 
most anything, so we received another pot 
of coffee to the delight of the men. I do 
not think it any great harm to tell a "fib" 
once in a while. 

The soldier who possessed even a slight 
knowledge of the French language was very 
popular indeed. Each stop (which was very 
numerous) we would call him to the door and 
get him to act as interpreter for us. But 
often he desired to talk on his own account, 
while we wished we had studied French. 

About two o'clock one morning we arrived 
at Poitiers. The command was given to de- 
train and form into a column of fours. The 
Ordnance and Medical detachments were for 
some reason delayed. At last we started 
out, the Ordnance leading. 

As v/e walked up a gradual incline, we 
could discern the railroad yards by the lights 
which were along the tracks upon our left. 

There was a high bluff upon our right near 



which dwelling houses had been built, many 
of which had caves nearby. These caves had 
been chisled into solid rock, and were used 
as wine cellars, etc. 

After walking miles, as it seemed to us 
at the time, each man thinking of his own 
particular troubles, we woke up to the fact 
that we could no longer hear the footfalls of 
the detachment ahead. Knowing that we 
were lost, the lieutenant gave orders for us 
to camp as best we could by the roadside, 
which we were glad to do. The night being 
warm, we did not unroll our packs; each 
man found himself a smooth place and there 
slept until morning. If a picture could be 
made portraying our dreams that night, there 
would no doubt be a mixture of wives, 
sweethearts, big fat beds, and perhaps a great 
juicy steak or two. 

Upon starting out from Le Havre, we had 
been told to make the food last for three 
days (a trick which only fooled us once), but 
as we were only on the train one day and 
almost two nights we had the most of the 
food v/ith us which we packed. Upon get- 
ting up that morning we proceeded to eat 

20 



everything in sight. There should have been 
a can of jam in sight, but several of the boys 
had pilfered it the night before. I after- 
wards learned that the ones who made the 
biggest cry upon finding the jam gone were 
the ones who had eaten it. 

Another stunt the Supply Company tried 
to "pull" was, as soon as we had finished a 
trip all jam was collected ; but after the first 
occasion of that kind we ate the jam first to 
make sure we got it. 

After eating our fill we found camp very 
easily; we had passed the road which led 
to it. 

That same afternoon we marched to Migne, 
a small nearby village, preparatory to camp- 
ing in billets. I was lucky enough to be de- 
tailed to ride in a truck and take care of 
those who were sick or ailing. 

That night we camped in an old field just 
out of the village. But after riding cramped 
as we had been in those small cars, one night 
sleeping upon hard ground failed to put us 
into anything like an amiable state of mind. 
That morning we drew the left-over ration 
that the Supply Company had on hand for 

21 



breakfast; but the officer in charge of us 
understood that we were to make three meals 
of it. My share was so small and the jam 
(about one teaspoonful), which had been 
placed upon a small piece of bread, rolled 
around in my mess pan soiling the pan and 
smearing the jam around so that I could not 
find it again, made me so angry at the time 
that I threw mess-kit and all against a nearby 
wall. As a result I went hungry, which was a 
greater punishment than the calling down I 
received. I dislike confessing everything in 
this manner, but I desire to portray the actual 
conditions as they occurred. If there is any- 
thing that will make a soldier mad, it is to de- 
prive him of his jam. 

The afternoon of that day we marched out 
by battalions to our different billets. I have 
forgotten the way our village upon this occa- 
sion is spelled, but an American would have 
spelled it Naughta, and as it is not shown 
upon the maps, I am rather safe. 

I was under the impression that the word 
billet meant, in the first place a good room, 
and second a private home and all that goes 
with home life. What we got was first a 

22 



hill to climb, up an alley, second a large 
empty, rough, cob webbed room, the floor of 
which had cracks one could pass a cat 
thru. Sticking into the wall which enclosed 
the stairs, was an old copper-jacketed bullet 
which I extracted for a souvenir. 

The Medical detachment had been divided 
into three parts. The squad I was with were 
attached to the third battalion or batteries 
E and F. 

We had been traveling for over one month, 
we were all glad to settle down for a while 
and enjoy our strange surroundings. 

The first things we did were to bathe, 
wash our clothes, eat everything we could 
get our hands upon, and last but not least, 
try the wines we had heard so much about. 
We bathed in a small creek and washed our 
clothes at the well worn wash place which 
consisted of stone slabs placed end to end 
along the banks of the creek. The bottom 
edge extended under the surface of the water 
and the top about two feet above; they were 
set at an angle of forty-five degrees. It was 
quite an art to wash one's clothes and save 
soap. The French women beat their clothes 

23 



with short broad paddles, and kneeled in 
a sort of three-sided box. We had no such 
luxury and when, after beating a garment 
upon the slabs, we saw our soap entering the 
water we changed ends and beat the soap 
the other way. It was a queer sight to see 
American soldiers among the French women 
(mostly very old ones), washing clothes. 

Later on I saw an unique laundry, a regul- 
lar establishment. About twenty girls and 
women stood in tubs just off the bank of a 
little stream. They washed upon little 
stands slanting in the opposite direction from 
them. A shed-like affair protected them 
from rain and sun. Behind this shed was 
the drying yard, across which wires were 
stretched about five feet apart and seven 
feet from the ground. When an American 
soldier passed along the road upon the oppo- 
site side of the stream, the girls would stop 
their work and stare as long as he could be 
seen. I venture to say, that while we stayed 
there the laundries' output of work was de- 
creased by a lot. 

But I am getting ahead of my story, to 
return to Naughta, another most interesting 

24 



feature of the French custom as I found it, 
was the food they ate, and the procedure of 
eating. To portray the customs of the peas- 
ant class, I will relate an experience I had 
while visiting one evening at one of the 
homes which was typical of that class. 

The members of the household consisted of 
father, mother and two sons, one of which 
lived at home, while the other worked in a 
French hospital at Poitiers. 

Having arrived, I was shown into the draw- 
ing room, which also served as library, din- 
ing room, kitchen and bed room as well. Af- 
ter showing me in the son went out to do 
the chores, leaving me with his mother, who 
seemed very kind, but I could not under- 
stand her nor she me. I could not under- 
stand the son either for that matter, but as 
we had more in common we could make out. 

The French are reluctant to light lamps in 
the evening, upon this occasion I sat silent 
and thotful, wishing I had not come while 
the shadows of night crept into the room so 
that I could only see the dim outline of the 
articles of furniture. But to my great relief 
the mother soon brought in a bundle of dry 

25 



twigs which she lighted in the fire-place, 
after which she applied a gentle "breeze^' 
from an antiquated bellows. 

Supper begun, I was amused to see the 
operation of cooking in a fire-place, I soon 
saw that the mother was master of the situ- 
ation. First, some stew that had been left 
over from dinner was warmed, second, on- 
ions which had been sliced very fine were 
put into a frying pan, when these were brown 
mussels v/ere added. That is I supposed 
them to be mussels (they looked like snails) 
which when in the shell are about two and 
one-half inches long and a little over one 
inch in width. 

When the son made an appearance, the 
mother spoke a few words to him, after 
which he made signs for me to remove from 
what I had taken for a window seat to a 
chair ; after making the exchange, the mother 
opened the seat I had used; got out bread 
and other things; I had been sitting upon the 
bread box. 

Supper being served, they insisted that I 
eat. I took one look at the snail-like mussels, 
remembered about the wine that would be 

26 



sure to follow, swallowed hard and accepted. 
Snails, mussels, or whatever they were, were 
good. Instead of slicing the bread, the loaf 
was passed around, each cut off as much as 
his or her appetite called for and instead of 
breaking bread, as they ate they would cut 
off small pieces with a sharp knife, a pocket 
knife is often used in that way. I have seen 
men and women upon the streets with hunks 
of bread and cheese, cutting both as we 
would an apple. 

After we had finished eating the second 
son came to visit. He kissed the father first 
upon one cheek then upon the other, mother 
and brother took their turn, repeating the 
operation each time, I was feeling rather 
uncomfortable, when to my surprise he ap- 
proached me, hand extended, saying in 
rather good American, "Good evening. Sir." 
Imagine my relief. 

I visited Poitiers while we stayed at that 
place. While there I ate my first French 
"diner." It takes a great deal of time to dine 
well in France, not to mention the wining. 
Everything is served in courses. 

Q and I walked in together. We selected 

27 



a likely restaurant and luckily for us the 
waitress understood some ^'American". We 
ordered the regular dinner and a small bottle 
of white wine each. After soup and egg ome- 
lettes had been brought we waited so long we 
thot that was all, however, meat was served, 
after which we had the choice of cheese and 
grapes for dessert; in the meantime I had 
looked up pie in my pocket dictionary, not 
taking a chance upon the waitress knowing 
how to pronounce it in American, but no pie 
was served, I selected grapes, and Q cheese. 

It is a pretty sight to see small white 
tables and chairs to match upon the sidewalk 
over which there is a bright colored awning, 
say with wide stripes of white and orange. 
Almost at any time in the afternoon and eve- 
ning one can find a gathering of men and 
women of various ages and for the most part 
well dressed, sitting at the tables sipping 
white or red wine, While the French do a 
lot of talking and smoking as they sip wine, 
the Americans have a tendency to drink fast. 
Some of the soldiers wondered how the 
French people drink all day and not become 
intoxicated; the reason is obvious. 

28 



There is a trick the wine dealers have that 
is worthy of mention. One will order a glass 
of white wine and will be given an excellent 
quality, almost champagne in fact; but upon 
ordering the second glass one will be told 
that it is finished, "finir"; then he will try 
and sell one a cheap grade of red wine. 
While writing of wines I must say that when 
we came into town the price of wine, and in 
fact everything, went up sky high. Yes, I'll 
say our French neighbors are thrifty. 



^9 



CHAPTER III. 
Mademoiselle Amelia. 

Our next stop was at a little place near 
Bordeaux, called Pont de la Maye, nothing of 
interest happened there and we did not stay 
sufficient length of time to become ac- 
quainted. After a few words concerning the 
unique way the French have of operating 
the street cars, we will proceed to Coudes, our 
final destination. 

Women for the most part operated the 
street cars, which were not unlike our Ameri- 
can cars, but if passengers were numerous 
smaller cars were attached, these were with- 
out motors. The fare for riding any distance 
was ''dix centimes", or about two cents in 
American money. Instead of using a bell 
and cord as we do, the conductors would 
blow a horn, which sounds not unlike the 
horns we hear at Christmas time, in signal to 
the motorman or motorwoman. 

I have written that Coudes was our destina- 
tion, but really Clermont, Fer. was headquar- 

31 



ters for that section, and Coudes, the billet 
for our battalion. The region around Cler- 
mont, Fer. is hilly and mountainous. There 
are many ruined chateaus, some of which are 
historical, amongst the hills; several of these 
were in the immediate vicinity of Coudes. 
At Montpeyroux, a little town situated upon 
a high hill near Coudes, there stands a high 
tower which is still in good condition. This 
tovv^er was used as a fort long ago. The wall 
is very thick, there being a stair case built 
within the wall which led to the top. 

A real reception was given us as we en- 
tered Coudes, little children presented us 
with flowers, the school house and city hall 
combined was decorated with flags, both 
American and French, and best of all, every- 
one wore a happy smile. For a few hours 
we camped in the school yard, and we were 
all tired and hungry as usual. But as tired 
as the cooks were, they rigged up stoves in 
a temporary way and proceeded to warm up 
some canned corned beef, which was a 
change as we had been eating it cold. 

One of the artillerymen, a little later, was 
found asleep upon the ground, stretched out 

32 



full length upon his back and snoring. For 
fun, we placed the flowers the children had 
given us upon him until only his face was 
visible; then one of the buglars blew taps 
very low and then louder until he awakened. 
The children took great interest in the pro- 
ceedings. All that O'B did was to yawn, grin 
in a contented way then dropped off to sleep 
again. He afterwards told me that he had 
a blister upon each foot at the time. 

Our detachment was shown to a building 
which had been a bakery at one time and 
was very nicely located for the Infirmary, 
being in the center of the town. Also there 
were two rooms upstairs with beds, etc., 
which we were told we could occupy. We 
thot we had a home there, but the crazy 
old Frenchman thot that an Infirmary would 
disease his bakery, so we moved out. 

We next occupied what had been a butcher 
shop, which had a good cement floor. Our 
sleeping quarters were back and down in 
the rear of the building. The house had 
been built upon a hill, and in order to get to 
our room we had to go down a steep tunnel- 
like passage, which had a lot of steps at dif- 

33 



ferent places which was sure to surprise one 
at night. The room itself was shaped some- 
what like the fourth of a pie, but not so soft. 
The floor consisted of slabs of stone, not 
so uneven as one might think, but hard, I 
assure you. We filled our ticks with hay 
which did not make such a bad bed. 

Now the old gentleman who owned this 
property lived up stairs over the Infirmary 
with a daughter, a widow of about forty 
winters, who had a little daughter of about 
fourteen summers. Madam was rather dark 
complexioned, had great black eyes, a long 
nose and no chin to speak of. She had a way of 
thrusting her face close up to one and talk- 
ing like a rapid fire machine gun, blinking 
her eyes to punctuate her speech; as she 
talked very fast her eyes blinked a great 
many times. Then again she had a way of 
punching one when she had completed a sen- 
tence. I have never seen a town that did not 
have a town fool and a woman who was a 
joke. I knov/ it is a hard thing to say, but it 
is true; and Madam was the joke of Coudes. 

In the French army a sergeant is thot 
to be some "mogul", and the French people 

34 



are under the same impression about ser- 
geants in our American army. Madam there- 
fore, made some inquiry about myself; and 
the boys, for fun told her that I was very 
rich, had large possessions in America, and 
traveled for pleasure. (I did not know any- 
thing of this until later). One day the 
Madam cornered me, talked, blinked and 
punched at me until I got what she was driving 
at. Would I marry and make France my 
home? Would I live in Coudes for the rest 
of my stay upon earth? Would I like to 
meet a charming young lady? Much amused, 
I said maybe to the first two questions and 
as for the last, I certainly would like to meet 
a charming young lady. 

I did not hear more of the matter for some 
time, I concluded that Madam had forgotten 
the matter. Then one day she brought in 
Mademoiselle, Amelia . I was in- 
formed that Mademoiselle was engaged in 
making ''une petite sac pour ma soeur." I 
asked how much she charged, for answer 
Madam caught me by the arm, hauled me 
across the floor and put Mademoiselle's arm 
within mine, commanding us to promenade. 

35 



Mademoiselle blushed and I felt rather warm 
about the neck. Madam thot me very stupid, 
I know, and maybe I was, however, had 
she given me time I would have asked 
Mademoiselle for the pleasure of promenad- 
ing. By this time the boys (the rascals) were 
laughing at me, declaring that if I would not 
go they would. 

So out we promenaded. We walked some 
miles to another village, where Mademoiselle 
visited her dressmaker. I was shown into the 
bed room, where the coat was fitted upon 
Mademoiselle. Well, I thot I would pull 
my cap to pieces before I finally got out of 
there. Just how I got out I do not know; 
I faintly remember seeing an old man enter 
the room and beckon to me to come out, 
which I was very willing to do. While he 
poured out some wine he made signs as if he 
would like to say, "Why man, you do not be- 
long in there." I said, "I know, but why the 
devil !" When I started to speak he stopped 
pouring wine to look at me; I became silent. 
Then after we had raised our glasses above 
our heads and said with much feeling "Vivre 
Amerique" then ''Vivre la Francais" all was 

36 



well. Now kind reader do not think ill of 
Mademoiselle Amelia, for she is a very good 
girl. She slapped the face of one of the boys 
at a dance one night because he tried to steal 
a kiss. 

When our band paid us a visit, which they 
did about once each week, there would be 
great excitement in the village. The natives 
would walk from the neighboring town in 
order that they could hear the "Band de mili- 
taire". The Mayor, upon those occasions 
would send wine out to the players. I saw 
one artilleryman borrow an instrument from 
one of the players until the wine had been 
passed, after which he returned the instru- 
ment to its owner. Once in a while the band 
could be persuaded to stay for the evening 
and play for a dance. The girls took great 
interest in the dances. "Oh! Those Wild, 
Wild Women," was sung by Pvt. S, who was 
willing to sing at most any time to please 
the boys. 

It was very amusing, the names the boys 
gave the billets; there was the "Country 
Club", "Half Way House" and the "Jackass 
Billet." This last was in a stable-like affair 



Z7 



and which had been a stable at one time, 
judging by the way it looked when the 
boys first moved into it, and got its name on 
account of a jack who had stable room there. 
Mr. Jack was in the habit of blowing reveille 
at five o'clock sharp each morning. His time 
was an hour ahead of our's, but he had been 
blowing at five for so many years he would 
not reform. If the boys did not respond to 
his bugle call he would proceed to break 
down the bars and even pull the blankets 
from the beds with his teeth. I think that 
billet the most unpoplar of them all. 

The next thing of interest was a concert 
the regiment gave, using the last mentioned 
billet for a hall. I must say that our regi- 
ment was well supplied with talent, we had 
actors that had worked upon the legitimate 
stage, songsters galore, and a few moving 
picture men. 

I had a sort of understanding with Madem- 
oiselle Amelia, that we would meet at the 
show and as the house filled, I hung around 
the entrance thinking that I might be of serv- 
ice in procuring a seat. While waiting, the 
Madam came with her daughter, for both of 

38 



whom I got seats. Finally Mademoiselle 
came, after the house had been filled almost 
to capacity, she had brought a girl friend, 
v/hom I had not before seen. I found seats, 
however and was successful in getting one of 
the boys to hold them while I went back to get 
the girls. But do you think they would enter? 
No sir, they were afraid of the crowd or 
something. I pleaded with them to enter and 
be seated, not wishing to have a scene. But 
still they hung back. Then after a bit we at- 
tracted the attention of some fellows who de- 
lighted in fun of any kind. 'Take her in 
Doc " they called over to me. I then took 
their arms in a business like manner, but 
they started to stmggle. 'Take her in Doc", 
the boys persisted. I was thinking of the possi- 
bility of my picking her up and carrying her 
to a seat, when I was struck by a happy 
thot; I pointed to the Madam and after 
Mademoiselle Amelia finally saw Madam sit- 
ting there all serene and uneaten, she allowed 
me to lead her to a seat; I had to make an 
extra trip for her friend however, as she was 
still shy. 

When the show started there was more ex- 

39 



citement than John saw. A contortionist and 
rough and tumble man was going through his 
antics when Madam became excited, she 
stood up and tried to talk with everybody 
around her, pointing and punching by turns. 
But the soldiers in her immediate vicinity 
made so much fun of her she soon left. I 
felt very sorry for the Madam, but really she 
should not have stood up. 

The next day I learned that a much more 
breathless drama had gone on in the front 
row. The Colonel, with his staff, had at- 
tended the show, seats being reserved in the 
front row. 

Now there was a girl in town whom the 
boys called ''Goofie". She was about twenty 
years of age, of medium height, inclined to- 
ward plumpness as to build, her hair was the 
color of clear pebbles after having been dried 
in sand. Goofie would do anything she was 
told to do regardless. Some second lieuten- 
ants put Goofie up to sit by one of the high- 
est officers, just how high I am afraid to say, 
besides this booklet is not supposed to men- 
tion names. Goofie soon cottoned up to the 
officer, who in turn retreated in good order; 

40 



but she followed up the attack. When re- 
treating was out of the question, as the officer 
was hard pressed against the party upon his 
other side, and the girl not being encouraged, 
soon dropped off to sleep upon the officer's 
shoulder. Fll venture to say that was one 
show he didn't enjoy. 

I have had the question asked me so many 
times since returning to the states, "How did 
you like the French girls?" That I take it 
for granted that a possible reader of this 
booklet would like to ask the same question, 
and really, as so many of the boys married 
French girls, it has become a matter of im- 
portance. Then again I was asked upon one 
occasion, "Which do you like the best, the 
American or French girls?" As for the first, 
I was greatly amused, charmed, and enter- 
tained. Will I be thot ungallant when I 
write, as a child is with a new toy? I assure 
you that no ungallantry is meant, but I be- 
lieve that most of the returned soldiers who 
served in France will agree with me. As for 
the second question, I am an American, and 
am too proud of American womanhood to 
give the French women precedence over the 

41 



American women. When I see a typical 
French girl I think of the fashion plate, and 
when I look upon our typical American girls 
I think of natural beauty. 

The word "Plaisanter" in the French lan- 
guage has a very wide meaning indeed; al- 
most anything can be said if one finishes up 
with that magic word 'Tlaisanter" (to joke). 
I have seen men with their wives who would 
be joking with American soldiers, say in res- 
taurants; the wife would propose that she 
and the soldier marry, go to America, and 
leave the husband in France. If the soldier 
did not understand and look shocked, she 
would say ''plaisanter" and all would be well ; 
the husband would not mind in the least. 
One husband, in the presence of his wife, 
asked me if I would marry and stay in 
France,. I jokingly replied that I would in 
case I found a girl just like his wife, who was 
beautiful in a v/ay; both seemed pleased at 
the compliment. 

The French philosophy, as I understood it, 
was, this old world has been going on for so 
long, generations have lived and died, we will 

42 



pass away, why worry, be pleasant, drink 
today for tomorrow we may die. 



4^ 



CHAPTER IV. 
La Guerre Finir. 

One afternoon I heard a great commotion 
in the street, women were shouting, men were 
shaking hands with each other, flags both 
French and American, were being waved. 
Thinking that something of unusual import- 
ance had happened, I walked up toward the 
hotel. Very soon my ears caught the words 
*'La Guerre Finir." Then I knew that the 
armistice had been signed, also that our hopes 
of getting to the front were gone. 

I admit I was sad, also that it was a selfish 
thot. I suppose, had I been upon the front 
at the time I would have been glad. We 
had waited for months to come to France, 
had arrived only to be stopped upon the eve 
of going into action. Our regiment was at 
the time doing the range practice, we were 
being supplied with guns, and fine ones they 
were, too, when this armistice came along 
knocking everything sky high. My first fears 
had departed, I feared no more the Hun bul- 

45 



lets; of course I may have been afraid at the 
actual time of entering action, but who knows 
about that until one tries it? I was not alone 
in thinking as I did, most of the men thot the 
same. 

The church bell was rung for an hour or 
more. I reflected at the time that as the bell 
was over two hundred years old, that had 
not been the first occasion of its kind that it 
had rung. 

That night about half of the battalion 
drank to drown their sorrow and the other 
half drank to celebrate the occasion. Sgt. L, 
Corp. H, dear old Wild Bill and I, had a 
time I think we shall all remember as long as 
we live. Yes, the night of the 11th of Novem- 
ber, 1918, was a wild night. 

Then followed days of rumor, I think there 
was a rumor to fit every question that came 
up. The stripes we were to get for over-seas 
service were of great interest to all of us. 
First we were to have one silver stripe for 
each six months served in the states and one 
gold stripe for the over-seas service; then 
there was added one silver star for those who 
had volunteered. 

46 



I will not relate our trip returning home, 
for it would be in part only a repetition of 
our journey over to France. 

Suffice to say that we departed from 
Coudes the morning after Thanksgiving day, 
sailed from Bordeaux December 23rd, 1918, 
in the good ship Matsonia, landed at Ho- 
boken January 3rd, 1919. 

After we landed we were sent to Camp 
Merritt, N. J., a veritable paradise, it seemed 
to us. 

We had been gone four months and nine- 
teen days. Though we did not earn the gold 
stripe which was for six months service over- 
seas, we earned the blue, which was for over 
four months. 

(FINIR) 



47 



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